Columbus Regional Health has been recognized by the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners and International Lactation Consultant Association for excellence in lactation care.

CRH and the Birthing Center received the IBCLC Care Award in recognition for staffing professionals who hold the prestigious International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) certification and providing a lactation program for breastfeeding families. In addition, the facility demonstrated that it has completed activities that help protect, promote, and support breastfeeding.

Columbus Regional Health IBCLCs focus on preventive care, so they are available during pregnancy to assess and provide information on how to successfully initiate breastfeeding. They continue that assistance after the baby is born by helping families overcome breastfeeding challenges, providing accurate information, and continuing to support them as their baby grows. They assist families returning to work or school, help families in more unusual situations such as breastfeeding more than one baby or nursing a sick or premature infant, and help train nursing staff to manage basic breastfeeding care. 

Including at CRH, there are currently more than 38,000 IBCLCs in 129 countries worldwide, and the program is certified by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

Pictured above, from left to right, are lactation consultants and registered nurses Sam McIntosh, Lyndsay Cassidy, Adrienne Bond, and Jessica Riegle, and Birthing Center Nurse Manager Deanna Abel. Not pictured: lactation consultants and registered nurses Sarah Bringman and Megan Asbury.